Pop-Up Sprinkler System

Overview

An underground sprinkler system orchestrates irrigation by zone, enabling different plant areas to receive water on independent schedules. The Main Controller is a wall-mounted unit housing a microprocessor, battery-backed real-time clock, and relay drivers. It energizes solenoids on Zone Valve Assembly in sequence, each opening a zone and running for a user-programmed duration, typically 15–30 minutes, before closing and moving to the next zone.

Water flows from the source through a Backflow Preventer device (required by code), then through a Main Valve Assembly with integrated Pressure Regulator that reduces mains pressure to 40–60 psi. It then travels through underground Main Distribution Piping to the Zone Valve Assembly. When a zone energizes, water flows through that zone's Zone Lateral Lines to the individual Spray Head and Rotor Head pop-up heads, which rest below turf level when off and rise when pressurized.

How it works

The Main Controller implements a weekly schedule. For each programmed day and start time, it activates Zone Solenoid Valve one at a time via a Relay. Energizing the solenoid pulls the plunger, opening the Solenoid Valve poppet and allowing water into the zone. When the on-time expires, the relay de-energizes, the solenoid spring releases the plunger, and the poppet closes, stopping flow. The timer then waits for the next zone, or repeats the entire sequence on the next scheduled day.

At each Spray Head, incoming pressure opens the pop-up mechanism, raising a nozzle above grass. The nozzle outlet geometry determines coverage, full-circle, half-circle, or adjustable arc. Higher-flow Rotor Head models use an internal turbine wheel that spins as water exits, rotating the nozzle across a large radius and then returning, delivering water to a broader area.

The Backflow Preventer prevents non-potable irrigation water from siphoning back into the house supply if pressure drops unexpectedly. It uses two Check Valve poppets and a Relief Valve to maintain separation.